Summary

  • Arco has a 92 overall critic rating and "Very Positive" reviews on Steam.
  • This makes Arco one of the highest-rated new Steam games of 2024 to date.
  • Arco is also available on Switch, but it's not on PlayStation or Xbox yet.

Steam users were recently treated to Arco, a game that is currently one of the year's highest-rated new releases. New games are released on Steam on a near-daily basis, ensuring PC gamers always have something new to play. Of course, some games are definitely better than others, and so it's always a nice surprise when something unexpected drops and gets rave reviews from critics.

While some games have been released as Epic Games Store exclusives, for the most part, PC gamers can expect all of the biggest games to drop on Steam. There are some games that are only available on consoles, like the critically-acclaimed Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, but many of the year's highest-rated games are readily available on Valve's platform.

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Something Just Happened on Steam That's Never Happened Before

Some gamers spot that something that never happened before recently happened on Steam, the leading PC gaming platform in the world.

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This now includes Arco, a new Mesoamerican fantasy RPG mixed with bullet hell elements that has players exploring a game world as "four indigenous heroes." The game features "simultaneous" turn-based combat, skill trees for each character, and choices that can change the course of the story. Steam users have scored the game highly, earning it a "Very Positive" rating on the platform. Professional critics have been even higher on the game, with it currently enjoying a 92 overall rating on review aggregate site OpenCritic. This makes Arco the fourth-highest-rated game of 2024 so far, beaten by Tsukihime, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Fate/Stay Night Remastered, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Highest-Rated Games of 2024 So Far

  1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - 94
  2. Fate/Stay Night Remastered - 93
  3. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth - 93
  4. Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- - 92
  5. Arco - 92
  6. Balatro - 91
  7. Destiny 2: The Final Shape - 91
  8. Castlevania Dominus Collection - 90
  9. Tekken 8 - 90
  10. Hades 2 - 90

Now, it's entirely possible Arco's overall score will drop as more reviews are counted. The game, which released on August 15, has only been reviewed by seven outlets so far. Maintaining a 92 overall rating with seven reviews counted is still impressive, though, and combined with the Steam user ratings, many clearly think that the game is well worth playing.

Those interested in trying Arco for themselves can certainly check it out on Steam, but it's worth pointing out that the game is also available on the Nintendo Switch. PlayStation and Xbox versions of Arco have not been released, so console gamers will need to pick up the Switch version if they want to play. Arco costs $19.99 on both Steam and Switch, so it really just boils down to personal preference. Of course, those that buy the game on Switch will be able to play it handheld without buying any extra equipment, whereas handheld on Steam will require users to have a Steam Deck handy.

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Arco Tag Page Cover Art

Arco
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RPG
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Systems
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Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
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Released
August 16, 2024
Publisher(s)
Panic
Steam Deck Compatibility
Verified
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Arco is a Mesoamerican fantasy RPG where each fight is a handcrafted bullet-hellish maelstrom that you must solve through clever use of your skills, items, and environment. While exploring the world, your narrative choices affect whether the combat skews more turn-based or real-time.

Guide four indigenous heroes through intertwining stories as you battle monstrous creatures, rival nations, and greedy colonizers. Choose peace or choose violence but not all threats can be reasoned with…and all roads in Arco lead to revenge. On a llama.

Simultaneous turn-based system that requires tactical planning while staying quick on your toes. Intertwined stories with 4 different characters, each with their own unique skill tree and playstyle.

Choices that impact the narrative as well as the gameplay. Handcrafted fantastical world with 200+ locations, 50+ enemies, 100+ items, 100+ skills.

2 hours of captivating soundtrack. It will break your heart and then heal it.
Get cursed, run from your demons, slap monsters, and break your neck trying to discover secrets.
 

Platform(s)
Nintendo Switch, PC
Developer
Franek, Max Cahill, Bibiki, Fáyer
Genre(s)
RPG